Silwood Park

This is terribly terribly overdue. But nevermind.

Recently, had field trip to one of the university's other campuses. What was really nice was that it was set in lovely lovely countryside (see picture for the Manor House, which is the main building), with acres of woodland, grassland, and what not.

What was slightly scary was that the entire place was used for ecological experiments, and that cages and traps and wire fences and random logs just kept popping up everywhere you so happened to wander.

Basically went around collecting data (think tramping about in the woods, wading in waist deep thorny bushes and stinging nettles, waving nets about in streams, etc) and enjoying the fresh air. Oh, and this is totally random but I caught two crayfish. And I saw a deer, dozens of rabbits and four pheasants.

As you can see, it was simply beautiful, so I don't think I can put it adequately in words. Suffice it to say that the ragged scars from thorns and nettle-stings were worth it.

I love the countryside.

For pictures of the wild woods, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyschmetterling.

Will blog more when I feel more inspired.

More Faintly Amusing Stuff

1. Lectures
Yes, lectures are actually quite fun in this place. Especially when your lecturer is a portly old gentlemen dripping with British humour and full of phrases such as "charismatic predators" and forever taking potshots at the Americans. And your other lecturer (humanities) pokes fun of just about everything and is also forever taking potshots at the Americans. Recent lectures aren't so fun though, mainly because they involve math. Ew. Not amusing, that.

2. A Horse Named Fen and Another Called Joker
The former is a little bay mare, a bit lazy in my opinion, and much given to flopping her lips about, which is quite amusing to watch, but not so amusing when you're actually on the horse. The latter is a skewbald, very well named. Enough said. Shall go nurse my sore rear end.

3. The Madness of Engineers
Have got one for a roommate. Interesting species to observe, I must say.
Engineerus civilus
Range: radius of 1m away from laptop and bed.
Feeding habits: Eats mostly crisps, tortillas, biscuits and other processed carbohydrates
Behaviour: Eccentric. Highly given to wearing bulky construction helmet indoors and singing at inappropriate times of the day. Almost impossible to awaken unless given the prospect of breakfast. Likes juggling random fruits.

4. Terry Pratchett
Very addicted to his books, and the school library keeps a good collection. Though it is fantasy, you'd be suprised how much of it echos the absurdity of modern life. My roommate is slightly disturbed at me sniggering at odd intervals from my corner when I'm reading. Payback, I say.

Life in London thus far

Life in London thus far is...

1) Quite pretty (refer to picture on the left). London is stuffed to bursting with pretty buildings; the one on the left is the entrance to the Natural History Musuem, which is just next to the school. I go there during lunch. Tee hee. However, not all buildings in London are pretty, duh. Some are absurd (like a mango-shaped building that my engineer room-mate is complaining about having to do a project on) and some look crumbly and old.

2) Faintly amusing. There are really odd things in London. Like "low sodium table salt", which I saw in a supermarket- really the ULTIMATE oxymoron. And of course there's my slightly mad roommate (aren't all engineers slightly mad anyway. I mean, who wants to build bridges, honestly.) And there's the picture on the far left, which I find quite funny.

3) Charming. Refer to picture on above right. That's Hyde Park on a really fine early autumn day. Nothing beats just sitting in the sun and looking up at the blue blue sky (sorry about the haze in SG).

4) Slightly scary. You hear police/ambulance sirens 3 times a day, on average. And this is a safe area. Did I mention that the traffic is frightening? Going to be knocked down by a car one of these days (am glad I have insurance). Also, the swans and ducks at Hyde Park are HUGE, and they have this disturbing habit of closing in on you when you've run out of bread....

Till next time.

In London!

That's right, Schmetterling is in London.

And it's cold. Especially when the wind blows.

And the weather changes every ten minutes.

And Schmetterling is very sure she will develop very muscular legs with all the walking she's been doing these days. (It's a 15 minute walk from the hostel to the school, and about 20 min from the hostel to the supermarket...)

Well, till next time, because Schmetterling is quite sleepy now. Tata.